Rise In Covid-19 Cases: Govt Bars In-Person Educational Activities In J&K

Srinagar: Amid rises in covid-19 cases with 687 of them confirmed in last 24 hours and 2226 in last four days, government on Sunday barred in-person teaching in colleges, schools, Polytechnics, ITIs, Coaching Centres for Civil Services, Engineering or NEET etc. They have been asked to adopt online medium of teaching, according to an order by State Executive Committee headed by the Chief Secretary.

The educational institutions have been permitted to direct attendance of vaccinated staff for administrative purposes only. “The Head of the institution must ensure that guidelines related to social distancing and Covid Appropriate Behaviour (CAB) are strictly followed.”

Night Curfew shall continue to remain in force in all Districts from 9 pm to 6 am with complete restriction on non-essential movement, reads the order.

The maximum number of people permitted to attend any indoor or outdoor gatherings have been “strictly” restricted to 25.

“Banquet Halls in all the Districts of J&K are permitted to allow gathering up to 25 vaccinated persons (with verifiable RT-PCR or RAT not older than 72 hours) or 25% of the authorised capacity (whichever is less), preferably in open spaces.”

Cinema halls, theatres, multiplexes, restaurants, clubs, gymnasiums and swimming pools have been permitted to function at 25% of the authorised capacity with due precautions such as CAB and adherence to SOP.

“All Deputy Commissioners shall intensify testing and ensure full utilisation of available RT-PCR and RAT capacities. There shall be no drop in testing levels.”

Chief Medical Officers of all districts have been asked to submit a daily report regarding the utilisation of available RT-PCR capacities to the District Magistrates concerned. Besides, District Magistrates shall also go for capacity expansion of the RT-PCR testing as per the requirement, the order said.

“The Deputy Commissioners shall also focus on the positivity rates of the Medical- Blocks under their jurisdictions. Intensified measures related to Covid management and restriction of activities shall be undertaken in these Blocks.”

There shall be renewed focus on Panchayat level and Medical Block mapping of cases, it said. “Effective micro-containment zones shall be constituted wherever number of Covid-19 Positive cases reaches 3 or above.

“Enforcement of Covid Appropriate Behaviour (CAB) is critical in determining the need for additional restrictions. The District Magistrates of J&K shall strictly ensure that there is full compliance to CAB and defaulters are firmly dealt with under relevant sections of the Disaster Management Act and the Indian Penal Code.”

All the Government Department(s)/Office(s) shall minimise conducting in-person meetings/ interactions etc, it said. “All Administrative Secretaries/ Head of the Department(s)/ Institution shall ensure optimal use of virtual mode for conducting official meetings etc.”

Market Associations to ensure that guidelines related to social distancing and Covid Appropriate Behaviour (CAB) are strictly followed in the markets. “Gathering at shops should not be allowed. Furthermore, no shops will cater to customers without mask.” (GNS)